Summer TV Winners & Losers

WINNER: “The Newsroom” (HBO)

This just in: Smart summer TV is not an oxymoron. HBO’s hyper-literate look inside a cable TV newsroom (courtesy of Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin) debuted strong this month, with 2.1 million viewers tuning in. Now that may not measure up to broadcast or basic cable ratings, but on HBO, it’s a hit. As far as debuts go, it topped “True Blood” and finished just behind “Game of Thrones” -- pretty good ratings company. And HBO... more 

WINNER: “The Newsroom” (HBO)

This just in: Smart summer TV is not an oxymoron. HBO’s hyper-literate look inside a cable TV newsroom (courtesy of Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin) debuted strong this month, with 2.1 million viewers tuning in. Now that may not measure up to broadcast or basic cable ratings, but on HBO, it’s a hit. As far as debuts go, it topped “True Blood” and finished just behind “Game of Thrones” -- pretty good ratings company. And HBO has already renewed the drama for a second season, so we’ll be watching Jeff Daniels as loose-cannon anchor Will McAvoy for many “News Nights” to come. less